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Cape Verde - Travel next September - Insulin availabilty

Type1Bri

Type1Bri

Well-Known Member
Messages
881
Location
Kent
Type of diabetes
Type 1
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Pump
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Highs and lows
Hi All

I am due to go to Sal in Cape Verde in September 2016
I have travvelled abroad before so Im fine with all the travel arrangements etc, however I am trying to find out IF my insulin goes bad/gets lost etc whilst away can I get replacement supplies in Cape Verde, especially in Sal
Has anybody got any websites or personal experience which might help. I have been on the manufacturers websites and cannot get answers from them!!

Many thanks
 
Type1Bri said:
Hi All

I am due to go to Sal in Cape Verde in September 2016
I have travvelled abroad before so Im fine with all the travel arrangements etc, however I am trying to find out IF my insulin goes bad/gets lost etc whilst away can I get replacement supplies in Cape Verde, especially in Sal
Has anybody got any websites or personal experience which might help. I have been on the manufacturers websites and cannot get answers from them!!

Many thanks
Click to expand...
How long are you going for?
 
Type1Bri said:
Hi All

I am due to go to Sal in Cape Verde in September 2016
I have travvelled abroad before so Im fine with all the travel arrangements etc, however I am trying to find out IF my insulin goes bad/gets lost etc whilst away can I get replacement supplies in Cape Verde, especially in Sal
Has anybody got any websites or personal experience which might help. I have been on the manufacturers websites and cannot get answers from them!!

Many thanks
Click to expand...
@Type1Bri ...I went to Sal in October staying near Santa Maria...don't know where you are staying ....I did end up going on a bit of a wild goose chase when my partner ran out of needles for his insulin pen....to be honest there is not much in Santa Maria...there are a couple of clinics and a small local pharmacist but I didn't get much joy....was told I could see a doctor at one of them but decided not to and to make do....think the potential cost of seeing a doctor put me off (something like 70 euros during day for consultation and 90 euros out of hours...probably able to claim back on insurance but not sure...best check the small print in your travel insurance)
...I think the pharmacist said that I would probably be able to get something in the capital Espargos but that would be a taxi ride away....is only a small island so only something like 15 euros for cab each way if you needed to do it.....the reps at the hotel were quite helpful and evidently a doctor visited each afternoon at our hotel if you needed to see one...

Perhaps my experience was not representative and as I say not vital as insulin seemed OK ...we stored in fridge in hotel room ....guess you just need to go as prepared as you can and take all that you need (plus extra supplies) including copies of prescriptions...I found that useful as could just show to pharmacist and indicate what I was needing to overcome any language barriers....

Hope you have a good trip:)
 
We are staying at Melia Dunas resort sata Maria
Fingers crossed I don't need any supply whilst I'm there
 
Type1Bri said:
We are staying at Melia Dunas resort sata Maria
Fingers crossed I don't need any supply whilst I'm there
Click to expand...
We stayed at one of the Riu hotels but dropped people off at the Melia hotels on the way from airport....it looked a really nice hotel...
...if you need anything just make full use of your holiday reps as that is what they are there for...and treat it a little as if you were travelling to a third world country in terms of facilities outside of the hotel which is basically what it is...I think I had at least read up about it before I went so was as prepared as I could be for any medical emergencies...
...am thinking our next holiday will be somewhere like the Canaries...loved Cape Verde though especially going to see the newly hatched turtles on the beach (on beach adjacent to Riu hotels so not too far from where you are going)....
Enjoy:)
 
I went to Cape Verde last year and was also concerned about whether for such a small place there would be any pharmacies etc. I sent an e-mail to the hotel before we left and they assured me there would be no problem in getting hold of insulin if needed.

Have a great holiday :-)
 
Hope you have a great time, its somewhere Ive always wanted to visit.
 
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